First Analysis

Howard Smith and Liam Moran share key takeaways from the 2024 RSA Conference and industry discussions. The strong attendance, with over 41,000 participants, highlights the sector's ongoing vitality. Despite concerns about best-of-breed #cybersecurity solutions, robust demand for both these and single-vendor platform solutions is evident and expected to persist. While M&A and financing remain strong, it's crucial to align strategies with probable exit valuations. This year #ArtificialIntelligence was an even hotter topic, with most companies adding AI to existing solutions and a growing number developing native #AI solutions. Follow the link below to request the complete report.  https://lnkd.in/gqqCynx6

Recent surveys indicate a significant rise in fraudulent activities in apartment #leasing, driven by consumer financial stress from the long-term housing shortage and consequent housing inflation in the United States. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, over 70% of #multifamily property owners reported increased fraudulent applications and payments, and traditional credit scores, which fail to capture current financial stress and do not verify income, have proven inadequate. In their latest report, Terry Kiwala, CFA and Walid Elmekki discuss the growth of alternative #credit qualification platforms that use extensive #consumerdata sources to provide a more accurate assessment of tenants' ability to pay and profile 12 companies leading this innovative approach. Follow the link below to request the complete report. https://lnkd.in/g3-V6CBU

We are pleased to announce that First Analysis has made a new investment in Sware, a pioneering company providing comprehensive software validation solutions for the #lifesciences sector. This funding will support the enhancement of Sware's Res_Q platform, leverage #AI to streamline #CSV processes, and expand the sales team to support companies struggling with #validation debt challenges. We are excited to collaborate with Sware and support its mission to revolutionize validation management, ensuring safer #therapies and faster #innovation in the life sciences industry.  https://lnkd.in/g3nzip28

The pandemic has accelerated #e-commerce growth, making it an attractive target for a shadow industry that uses #scalper #bots to siphon sales from legitimate sites, resulting in consumer frustration, lost sales and reputational damage. Despite calls for regulatory action, we think technological solutions from innovative companies offer a more immediate defense. David Gearhart and Marta Mikos' latest report profiles several of these solutions in four major categories.

Howard Smith and Liam Moran will be attending the RSA Conference in San Francisco next week. Howard leads our #cybersecurity initiatives, and Liam brings a #strategic finance perspective. They're eager to engage with industry leaders at #RSAC and get a close look at what trends and innovations are shaping the future of #B2B #cybersecurity.

Howard Smith and Liam Moran present our annual analysis of publicly traded, #enterprise-focused #cybersecurity firm performance. ▪ Revenue growth: 2023 aggregate revenue grew 18.4%, substantially slower than 2022's 26.5% growth and 2021's 24.3% growth. ▪ Guidance and revenue performance: Average revenue growth was 16.4%, somewhat below 2023 initial guidance for 18.5% growth on average; initial 2024 growth guidance is only 13.5% on average. ▪ Sector highlights: Revenue growth slowdown may reflect a growing investor demand for profitability. Investors may view this shift as limiting the sector’s long-term potential. However, we remain optimistic the market will continue to be open to many winners, including smaller companies. ▪ Notable transactions: Key M&A activities include the acquisitions of ZeroFox and Avalor Technologies For the complete analysis, download the report: https://lnkd.in/gP4VxR2j

First Analysis acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Pharmacy Quality Solutions, Inc., a leading #pharmacy-#payer performance technology, in its sale to Innovaccer.

First Analysis acted as the exclusive financial advisor to BHS, a provider of comprehensive #mentalhealth solutions through employee and student assistance programs, in its partnership with ReviveHealth and Eir Partners.

First Analysis, a leading #venturecapital investor, has made a new investment in Dina, a provider of digital network management and coordination solutions for the #MedicareAdvantage and managed #Medicaid markets.

#CES2024 is rapidly becoming a prominent forum for a wide range of #B2B #IoT companies. David Gearhart, CFA and Charles M. met with a diverse range of companies at the conference and identified six key themes discussed in detail in our recent report.